2006 Fiat Strada EL 1.7 turbo diesel from South Africa

Summary:

Faults:

Recently the timing belt tensioner gave in and I think it bent a valve.

From now on I'm working on my cars myself. I really think very few people in S.A. really know what's going on in a Fiat. Especially the diesel.

I tried to look up the designer of this particular engine to learn just a little more, but I must say, Fiat really kept their stuff secret, and that is a very good thing. If anyone has just a manual for this engine, please help.

General Comments:

With factory-recommended service (oil change every 7,500 miles) it was as reliable as an electric motor. It never burned oil or failed to start (all due to Fuel injection?). Even with kids, the comfortable cloth seats did not wear out (annual cleaning helped). It leaned like a sailboat, but stuck to the road. The mileage was okay (28 mpg). 75hp and very tall gearing called for lower gears for long distances. Noisy and small, it was also inexpensive, reliable, and fun to drive! I miss it!

1979 Fiat Strada Custom 1.5L SOHC from North America

Summary:

A small fish in a big pond

Faults:

The car is rusting very badly.

Also, it has trouble starting in the extreme cold.

General Comments:

I own a 1979 4 door Custom Strada in orange. I used to own a fiat dealership in Toronto, and bought this demo as soon as the Strada came out. Today I am probably the only person who owns a Strada in all of Canada. This car didn't succeed in North America, because it is designed for Europe and not for the North American climate. In fact, in Italy this car was produced until 1988, and is still in circulation.

In my opinion, the body should have been treated to withstand our North American winters, as well as make an engine with a little more kick than the one they came out with. I still start my Strada every now and then, but it is in no shape to drive, I'm actually embarrassed to, ha, ha.

Please email me at f_modena_1982@hotmail.com, if you still own a Fiat Strada in North America, I would love to see some pics.

23rd Sep 2005, 11:21

I would be surprised if you get even one email. Even when they were being sold here new they were a rare sight on the road. It's a shame the build quality was so bad, it was an interesting, unique car. I haven't seen any used ones for sale for more than 15 years...